Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement
Patent
1994-08-15
1997-02-04
Thomas, Laura
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement
439 65, 174255, 174254, 29847, 29830, 180 90, H05K 100
Patent
active
056001002
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical device, in particular, a steering column switch for automotive vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical devices, in particular steering column switches for automotive vehicles with a punched plate embedded in a plastic plate are disclosed in DE-OS 35 15 911 or DE-OS 37 17 743, for example. The punched plate which is fitted to the steering column switch is arranged in a plastic plate. The conductive contact elements of the punched plate are punched out such that they are still interconnected by small webs. In this condition, the punched plate is inserted into an injection mold, is cast in plastics and removed again from the injection mold. The webs interconnecting the single conductive contact elements are cut subsequently. The cutting operation can be performed prior to or after the insertion of the resulting plastic plate into the steering column switch. It is disadvantageous in this embodiment of the plate that those points where the individual conductive contact elements are isolated from each other, or the webs are cut, are open to the outside. Dust, small particles or even large particles or liquids may enter the electrical device at these points. These contaminants will frequently impair the function of the entire switch which is a shortcoming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to improve upon the generic electrical device to such effect that the function is not impaired by contaminants collecting in the punched plate or the plastic housing.
This object is achieved by an electrical device, in particular, a steering column switch for automotive vehicles having a punched plate with at least two conductive contact elements embedded into a plastic plate. The conductive contact elements of the punched-out punched plate are still interconnected and the connection of the conductive contact elements is effected by a U-shaped tab, which, prior to the embedding operation, is open towards the conductive contact elements and is disposed roughly parallel to them, and which includes two legs and a transverse web, from which tab after embedding the punched plate into the plastics material of the plastic plate at least the transverse web is cut.
Providing the punched plate such that the connection of the conductive contact elements is effected by U-shaped tabs which are disposed roughly perpendicular to these, from which tabs, after the embedding into the plastics material of the plastic plate, at least the transverse web is cut off, results in that the plastic plate has no more holes through which contaminants can enter into the device. However, the stability of the punched plate is ensured nevertheless by these transverse links between the individual conductive contact elements prior to the embedding operation. Due to the connection between the conductive contact elements being provided by a U-shaped tab, the punching operation is not much more complicated than in a web-type connection. First, the tab is punched out in one plane with the conductive contact elements. Subsequently, it is bent to assume a position where it stands roughly perpendicular to the conductive contact elements. After the embedding operation, the part of the tab which projects from the surface of the plastic plate and is embedded in the plastics, preferably, is cut from the surface of the plate, being flush therewith. This way, the dimensions of the entire plastic plate are not increased.
According to a favorable embodiment, the U-shaped tab includes two parallel legs which are bent roughly perpendicularly from the conductive contact elements and are connected with these, and which are interconnected by a transverse web at their ends not connected to the conductive contact elements. This embodiment results in that, first of all, the punching operation of such a connection between two conductive contact elements is simple and, secondly, the stability of the entire punched plate is enhanced by the transverse-web connection of the t
REFERENCES:
patent: 3317652 (1967-05-01), Johannessen et al.
patent: 4104705 (1978-08-01), Levand, Jr. et al.
patent: 4764645 (1988-08-01), Takasawa
patent: 4859806 (1989-08-01), Smith
patent: 4965933 (1990-10-01), Mraz et al.
patent: 5038468 (1991-08-01), Wanatowicz
patent: 5357051 (1994-10-01), Hwang
patent: 5434365 (1995-07-01), Mori et al.
patent: 5495076 (1996-02-01), Davis
Andrei-Alexandru Marcel
Fein Peter
Longney John M.
ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
Lewis J. Gordon
Thomas Laura
Twomey Thomas N.
LandOfFree
Electrical device, in particular steering column switch for auto does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electrical device, in particular steering column switch for auto, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical device, in particular steering column switch for auto will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-681193